Cumbres Teacher Preparation Program
Academic Department
The Cumbres Teacher Preparation Program is a comprehensive co-curricular, support services and scholarship initiative that prepares future teachers to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K–12 students. Our strong learning community, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development ensure you’ll thrive in diverse classrooms.
Reach New Peaks with Cumbres
Are you passionate about becoming a teacher and making a difference in the lives of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) students? Then the Cumbres Program might be a great fit. You’ll be supported and inspired to climb higher and achieve your goals and dreams. The program offers scholarships, mentorship and a strong community. You’ll develop and grow into a confident, compassionate educator ready to lead in today’s diverse classrooms.
Why Choose Cumbres?
- A tight-knit Learning Community will support you through every step of your college journey.
- Benefit from mentorship from experienced teachers and leaders committed to your success.
- Leadership development helps you enhance your skills and stand out in your future career.
- Scholarships that are renewable every semester provide financial support so you can focus on your studies and stay on track to graduation.
With Cumbres, you’re not just earning a degree — you’re building a future.
UNC’s Cumbres Teacher Preparation Program plays a vital role in strengthening public education by preparing future educators to serve increasingly diverse classrooms across the country. We are committed to public education.
What is Cumbres?
Learning Community
As a first-year Cumbres student, you’ll take a class with your cohort, connecting with peers and building strong academic and social connections from the start.
Mentorship Program
In your first year of the program, you’ll be paired with a mentor teacher and have the opportunity to volunteer in their classroom. Many mentors are former Cumbres students from UNC or community partners committed to your success and helping you gain valuable teaching experience.
Leadership Development
The Cumbres program helps Education students at UNC become teachers who are respected by schools, parents and students. You’ll develop into a future educational leader who is ready to make a positive impact in your schools and communities.
Gates Family Foundation
The Cumbres program is honored to receive a grant from the Gates Family Foundation for the 2025-2026 academic year. This generous support will strengthen the program and increase enrollment, ultimately enabling more educators to graduate with a CLD endorsement, ready to serve our communities. We sincerely appreciate this valuable partnership!
What is CLD?
CLD stands for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse education. In Colorado, a CLD endorsement is an additional qualification on a teaching license. It certifies that a teacher has specialized training in second language acquisition, linguistics, assessment, culturally relevant teaching, and supporting multilingual learners.
Public schools are the cornerstone of an equitable society, reflecting the full spectrum of cultural and linguistic diversity. To ensure the success of all students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, educators must be equipped with inclusive, culturally responsive teaching practices. The Cumbres Program is committed to this mission, cultivating teachers who lead with empathy, cultural competence, and professional excellence.
Cumbres Scholarships
As a Cumbres student, you’ll receive a renewable scholarship every semester. This scholarship helps you stay focused on your studies and your future teaching career. You just need to:
- Maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Meet the program’s participation requirements
Career and Professional Development
To best prepare you for career success, we recommend you subscribe to TeachColorado. You’ll have all the tools you need to launch a successful and satisfying teaching career. You’ll learn valuable information about:
- Job postings
- Networking opportunities
- Licensure support
- Application fee reimbursement
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Meet the Staff
Aldo Romero, Ph.D.
Director Cumbres Program